Manali To Atal Tunnel Distance: Facts, Stories, And Everything You Need To Know
A month back, the North Portal of the Atal Tunnel in Rohtang turned white with snow. We all loved the videos and photographs on the internet.
It passes through the Pirpanjal Range and helps you avoid the Rohtang Pass, which remains closed during heavy snowfall in the winter.
So, the Atal Tunnel, named after Atal Bihari Bajpayee, the former chief minister of India, ensures all-weather connectivity between Manali and other nearby attractions.
As a result, the Atal tunnel is strategically important. It offers the country’s armed forces easy access to border areas and speeds up the transportation of resources and arms.
Further, the Atal Tunnel, the longest highway tunnel in the world, is important for tourism in Himachal Pradesh.
It ensures better connectivity between Manali and Spiti and Lahaul Valley and Leh. So, this tunnel will boost tourism and community growth in these remote areas.
So, do you want to know how you can reach the Atal Tunnel from Manali? We will talk about the Manali to Atal Tunnel distance, the modes of transportation, and everything you need to know about Atal Tunnel.
What Is The Manali To Atal Tunnel Distance?
The Mali to Atal Tunnel Distance is 24.1 km. You can cover this route via NH 3 within around 55 minutes.
However, if you are traveling from other parts of the country, you have to reach the Bhuntar Airport or the Joginder Nagar Railway Station.
Bhuntar Airport is around 50 km away from Manali. So, you have to first reach Manali from Bhuntar Airport by car, and then you can travel from Manali to Atal Tunnel distance by car.
Again, the distance between Joginder Nagar Railway Station and Manali is 165 km. You will get buses and taxis from Joginder Nagar Railway Station to Manali.
What Is The Best Time For A Manali To Atal Tunnel Drive?
The Atal Tunnel is famous for offering year-long connectivity between Manali and more remote locations such as Lahaul, Spiti, and Leh.
So, the best time to travel the Manali to Atal Tunnel distance will depend on your desired experience.
- For example, March to June or summer is the best time to enjoy a drive to the Atal Tunnel and nearby areas such as Solang Valley, Spiti, Lahaul, and Leh.
- Again, the autumn season between September and November offers clear weather conditions, making it ideal for sightseeing.
- Also, if you travel to Spiti from Manali via the Atal Tunnel in Autumn, don’t miss watching the stars and celestial bodies at night. Spiti is one of the best places to go for stargazing in India.
- Furthermore, the Atal Tunnel remains open in the winter season or during the months of December to February.
Again, these are the months for heavy snowfall in Manali. So, the Atal Tunnel and the surrounding Pir Panjal Ranges turn into a snowy wonderland in these months.
How To Reach Atal Tunnel From Manali?
You can cover the Manali to Atal Tunnel distance by road. You can hire a taxi or car or drive your own car to complete this 25-km journey.
Also, you can visit the North and South Portals of the Atal Tunnel as a part of the One Day Rohtang Pass Sightseeing Tour conducted by the One Day Rohtang Pass Sightseeing Tour conducted by the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation.
Manali To Atal Tunnel Distance Journey By Car
The journey takes around 55 minutes in usual traffic conditions. However, in peak hours, this car ride may take more than 1 hour.
Further, this route passes through the Solang Valley. So, you will enjoy the mesmerizing views of the Pir Panjal Range during the journey.
You must know that despite the entry to the Atal Tunnel being free, you will need a special permit if you are traveling to Sissu or beyond.
Manali To Atal Tunnel Distance Journey By Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation Bus
The Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation organizes a 137-km-long One Day Manali-Rohtang Pass-Sissu-Manali Rohtang Pass Sightseeing Tour.
The journey starts from the Manali Bus Stand at 9:00 AM in an HPTDC Deluxe Bus. The cost of the ticket per person will be INR 600.
The route goes like this:
- Manali to Kothi
- Kothi to Rahla Waterfall
- Rahla Waterfall to Marhi
- Marhi to Rohtang Pass
- Rohtang Pass to Koksar
- Koksar to Sissu
- Sissu to Atal Tunnel
- Atal Tunnel to Solang Valley
- Solang Valley to Manali
To learn more about this tour, contact the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development at +91 177 2652561, 2658302.
Atal Tunnel Location, Timing, And Entry Fee
The Atal Tunnel is located in Himachal Pradesh, India, nestled in the Eastern Pir Panjal Range. It stretches under the famous Rohtang Pass on the Leh-Manali Highway.
Furthermore, it is a connection between Manali in the south and Lahaul and Spiti Valley in the north.
The Atal Tunnel remains open for 24 hours, and it offers free entry.
Key Facts About The Atal Tunnel
Here are the key facts and figures about the Atal Tunnel.
| Length | 9.02 km |
| Altitude | 3000 Meters |
| Advanced Engineering | Electromechanical systems, including semi-transverse ventilation |
| Connectivity | The Atal Tunnel has three 4G base transceiver stations of BSNL, offering 4G connectivity. |
| Safety Features | Every 150 meters inside the tunnel, there is a telephonic connection for emergency communication. Firefighting, illumination, and monitoring are controlled by SCADA. Fire hydrant mechanisms every 30 meters of the tunnel CCTV cameras are installed every 250 meters of the tunnel. There are also emergency exits every 500 meters, exit signs, evacuation lighting, and a broadcasting system throughout the tunnel. In every 1 km inside the Atal Tunnel, there are provisions for air quality monitoring. |
| Speed Limit | 80 Km per hour |
| Road Structure | 10.5 meters two-land road, allowing vehicles to ply in both directions |
| Stopping inside the Atal Tunnel | Not Allowed |
| Photography inside the Atal Tunnel | Not Allowed |
What Is The History Of Atal Tunnel?
The Atal Tunnel is of great strategic and economic importance to improve the stature of India in the global landscape. This infrastructural development is a further step toward India being self-reliant or Atma-Nirbhar as a nation.
The idea of building a tunnel on the same route was proposed in 1980. However, the project took 20 years, and the leadership of Atal Bihari Bajpayee for it to gain some momentum.
Finally, it was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2020.
This is what the historical timeline of the tunnel looks like.
| 3rd June 2000 | Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee announced the project. |
| 6th May 2022 | Border Roads Organization (BRO) is in charge of building the tunnel. |
| 28th June 2010 | Sonia Gandhi, the Chairperson of the National Advisory Council, laid the foundation stone of the project. |
| June 2012 | 3.5 km of digging of the tunnel gets completed. |
| 13th October 2017 | Two ends of the tunnel met. |
| 17th November 2019 | A bus service trial through the tunnel started. |
| 25th December 2019 | The tunnel, till now known as the Rohtang Tunnel, was renamed as the Atal Tunnel. |
| September 2020 | The Atal Tunnel project is 100% completed. |
| 3rd October 2020 | Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurared the Atal Tunnel. |
What Are The Things To Do Near Atal Tunnel?
From photography and trekking to zorbing and paragliding, many outdoor activities can make the distance from Manali to Atal Tunnel more enjoyable.
| Activities Near the Atal Tunnel | Place |
|---|---|
| Cable car rides, skiing, zorbing, paragliding | Solang Valley |
| Waterfall hiking | Sissu Village |
| Trekking | Lahaul-Spiti Valley |
What Are The Places To Visit Near Atal Tunnel?
The Atal Tunnel, passing through the eastern Pir Panjal Range, is surrounded by many top tourist attractions. Here are our favorites.
- Keylong
- Solang Valley
- Sissu
- Lahaul Valley
- Spiti Valley
- Gemur Monastery
- Bhrigu Lake
- Stakna Monastery
- Rohtang Pass
- Baralacha La
Travel The Manali To Atal Tunnel Distance Respectfully: A Dream And Travel Note
The Atal Tunnel was recently in the news for all the wrong reasons. Tourists were seen dancing and doing push-ups inside the tunnel, creating a massive traffic jam.
The Kullu Police further arrested these tourists. As a tourist, you must understand the significance of this tunnel. It is not just important for tourism purposes.
It is also crucial for transporting the armed forces and their resources. Moreover, local farmers, horticulturists, and agriculture are dependent on this route to reach the nearby markets.
As a result, any disturbance in the Manali to Atal Tunnel route can massively impact the state’s public life and economy.
So, be respectful while traveling through this tunnel, follow the speed limit, and enjoy a wonderful journey.
